Moving a big cherry tree

[hadriel]

Hello,

I'm about to sell a real estate, and I have a cherry tree on it, that I really like :)
I want to move it to my garden, I plan to do it this autumn.

But the tree is 7-8 years old, and it's bigger than I expected. It appears that it'll be too heavy to move if I dig it out without removing the soil from the root system.

Is it possible, that this tree will survive that adventure? Or it's too old for that stuff?

Thanks

[Newt]

Hi Hadriel,

Bare root trees are dug when they are dormant.* The caliper (width) of the trunk will determine the chance of survival of the tree.* If the width of the trunk, measured 12 inches from the ground, is 2 inches to 3 inches, then there is a chance of your tree surviving.
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/barerootmore.html

This site gives the minimum root spread based on the caliper and height of the tree.
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/bareroottable.html

You might want to consider root pruning your tree now and then digging when it's dormant, using the b&b (balled and burlaped) method.* You would need a tree dolly to help you move the tree once it's dug.* Root pruning is usually done 2 years before digging, but it should help the tree's chances of survival.* Here's some sites that explain all this.
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/culturalpractices.html
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/BBmore.html
http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/harvesting.html
http://www.freeplants.com/how_to_bal..._dig_plant.htm

Here is what a tree dolly looks like.
http://www.americanhort.com/dollies.html
http://www.fngla.org/fnats/newProducts.asp

How tall is your tree and what is the caliper (width) of the trunk 12 inches from the base?

Newt

[hadriel]

Hmm... my tree is bigger that 3 inches in width, it's maybe 5, and about 7-8 feet in height.

I'll visit it at the end of the week and get a photo

[Newt]

Sounds a bit large to be moving by hand.* Any way you could hire a tree spade to do this?
http://www.bobcat.com/publicadmin/ge...3044&width=400
http://www.bobcat.com/publicadmin/ge...3457&width=400

Newt

[hadriel]

Yep, I checked the size of the tree again. It's much bigger.
I took some pics, if you have time to lose:P

http://asensotirov.com/g/index.php?a...vely%20Cherry/

[Newt]

Wow, that isn't a small tree even though it would be classified as such by an arborist.* Looks like you'll need a tree spade to move that one as it's too large for a bare root dig.* Get estimates and references.* Don't forget to check the references as you can learn some interesting things when you talk to people.* You'll want to talk to folks that had trees moved by them 2, 3 or more years ago so you'll know how the tree(s) is/are doing.

Btw, my mouth was watering when I saw those cherries.* :P

Newt